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Thought I'd make a new topic since this is more about the actual purchase.

So I've somewhat settled on the M&H AA, but want to know if my price is good. Its $33,000 + tax (yes I'll pay the tax...), and includes delivery artist bench and 2 tunings. The dealer also said I can try it at home for 30 days and if I don't like it they'll take it back no questions asked, just paying shipping (sound like an infomercial??)

So am I in the ballpark? Is it the deal of a lifetime, average price, or I'm paying too much? The Fine book is pretty useless on this ("expect at least 25% discount" oh great so I should pay somewhere between 75% and 0% of the list price, very helpful )

Larry Fine reports his most recent list price on a AA in satin ebony as $57,710. 25% off would be $43,282. Your price is $33,000. That represents nearly a 43% discount. If satin ebony is the finish, you price is a great deal. If it is in one of the wood finishes then you deal is even better.

No one can give you a firm absolute selling price becase no one else is selling the piano but your dealer.

Variables:Location and competitive pressure.Specific financial condition of your dealer.How old is the instrument? Ready to be timed out of flooring and needs to be paid for?How will you pay? Material AMEX charges effect pricing.Trade in involved?Is the AA "new"? Used? School Loan? Rental?

These and more effect the dealers cost in the deal and the discount from list he will offer.

A new M&H AA is an awesome instrument and worthy of your considerable investment.

_________________________
Co-Author of The Complete Idiot's Guide To Buying A Piano. A "must read" before you shop. Work for west coast dealer for Yamaha, Schimmel, Bosendorfer, Wm. Knabe.

pianoloverus
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Registered: 05/29/01
Posts: 21717
Loc: New York City

Originally Posted By: Zooplibob

The Fine book is pretty useless on this ("expect at least 25% discount" oh great so I should pay somewhere between 75% and 0% of the list price, very helpful )

Thanks!

Far from useless IMHO. I think you're being too literal in your interpretation. If your interprettion was correct, the book would be worthless and never sell any copies, but of course this isn't the case. He means 25% is reasonable and you may get more, but except under very special circumstances(like the recession), not tons more.

The reason I said useless is because buyers want to know the minimum they can pay, not the maximum. Sure Fine says 25% off is the highest price they should pay, but how low could you realistically go? Either my 43% discount is a once in a lifetime deal or the Fine book isn't helpful for people buying pianos in these times.

pianoloverus
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Registered: 05/29/01
Posts: 21717
Loc: New York City

Originally Posted By: Zooplibob

Yes its new and satin ebony.

The reason I said useless is because buyers want to know the minimum they can pay, not the maximum. Sure Fine says 25% off is the highest price they should pay, but how low could you realistically go? Either my 43% discount is a once in a lifetime deal or the Fine book isn't helpful for people buying pianos in these times.

Fine's book was published almost a year ago, basically before people were worried about the economy and dealers could sell pianos more easily. So one has to use common sense plus the endless posts on this forum about the deals right now to realize that more than normal reductions suggested by Fine are possible. There is no such thing as the minimum one can pay on a piano(well, maybe $1).

Your deal is very good so I don't think its that important whether or not it's a once in a lifetime deal or just very good. I think it's more important how much you like this particular Mason AA, not whether somewhere in the country someone might be selling it for a few thousand less. If you don't like the piano that much I wouldn't buy it just because of the deal.

The reason I said useless is because buyers want to know the minimum they can pay, not the maximum. Sure Fine says 25% off is the highest price they should pay, but how low could you realistically go? Either my 43% discount is a once in a lifetime deal or the Fine book isn't helpful for people buying pianos in these times.

Your deal is very good so I don't think its that important whether or not it's a once in a lifetime deal or just very good. I think it's more important how much you like this particular Mason AA, not whether somewhere in the country someone might be selling it for a few thousand less. If you don't like the piano that much I wouldn't buy it just because of the deal.

The important thing isn't what you pay for it, the important thing is do you love the instrument. The price paid is eventually forgotten, but you'll be reminded everyday you play about your choice. Keep in mind some of what you pay goes toward the prep of your instrument. It sounds like you've struck a pretty good deal. I don't know enough to say if it's a once in a lifetime deal, but if it was me I wouldn't care if I was really in love with the instrument.

I have Mason & Hamlin #17669, which is 101 years old and has been the instrumental love of my life for 25 years. If you really like M & H, there is nothing else quite like it (don't know much about the newer ones).

The only thing holding me back is the price. Contrary to what people seem to be saying, that IS the important part. If I had gone with the Fine price, I'd pay $10,000 more, which to me is a lot of money and a valid reason not to get a particular piano.

The only thing holding me back is the price. Contrary to what people seem to be saying, that IS the important part. If I had gone with the Fine price, I'd pay $10,000 more, which to me is a lot of money and a valid reason not to get a particular piano.

Sounds to me like it is a good deal. You say you love the piano...buy it! Or, would you sleep better at night knowing the dealer had lost money on the deal?

pianoloverus
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Registered: 05/29/01
Posts: 21717
Loc: New York City

Originally Posted By: Zooplibob

To clarify, yes I love the piano.

The only thing holding me back is the price. Contrary to what people seem to be saying, that IS the important part. If I had gone with the Fine price, I'd pay $10,000 more, which to me is a lot of money and a valid reason not to get a particular piano.

34K is also a lot of money.

If you had gone with the Fine price, you'd be ignoring the economic recession and pretty obvious observation that there a big sales on everything, especially big ticket items. The Fine Supplement has been of great value to many people for more than a decade. It has been, as far as I know, the most accurate and used source of MSRP's that are all based on the same mark up from wholesale.

Do you mean to imply the dealer first offered the piano at 43K? I don't think anyone is saying there's a chance of getting another 10K off the latest price you were offered, so I think the real question is whether you can accept the latest offer or maybe get a small amount off it.

I purchased an AA in April for a few thousand more in Gaithersburg, MD. Mine has some additional customization that the dealer valued at about $4K.

With that in perspective, I think you are getting an excellent price with an MSRP of $59K. I think that even with the customization on mine you are getting a better price by about $2K. In addition to the customization, satin ebony finish, and M&H artist's bench, I also got 4 home tunings, a D-C unit and a piano cover.

I love the piano and so does my wife. I'm sure you'll get a lot of enjoyment from it for many years.